Articles tagged with Vaccination
Researchers are working on experimental gene-based vaccines using harmless viruses or DNA/RNA to deliver genetic information to human cells. The technology is fast but largely unproven, and concerns remain about neutralization levels and safety. Multiple types of vaccines will likely be needed to ensure effective immunity.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science created artificial cells that produced viral parts, allowing for safe testing and development of diagnostic tools, drugs, and vaccines. The system consists of micrometer-sized compartments etched into a silicon chip, enabling controlled production of specific proteins.
Researchers created a hybrid virus that targets cells like SARS-CoV-2 but lacks severe disease genes. The hybrid virus can be handled under ordinary laboratory safety conditions, making it ideal for high-throughput analyses.
A study published in The Lancet Public Health found that nearly 60% of US parents of unvaccinated adolescents have no intention to initiate the HPV vaccine series. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in addressing parental misconceptions and ensuring series completion.
A new nanoparticle vaccine, repRNA-CoV2S, has shown hints of protection and immunity in preclinical studies with mice and macaques. The vaccine elicited robust immune responses, producing antibodies and antiviral T cell responses, and demonstrated safety and efficacy.
A replicating RNA vaccine has shown robust immune response in both young and old animal models, producing antibodies comparable to those in people recovering from COVID-19. The vaccine's design avoids immune responses that could exacerbate the virus, instead inducing protective antiviral measures and T cells.
A modelling study published in The Lancet Global Health found that continuing routine childhood vaccination programmes in Africa during the pandemic could save around 702,000 child lives from vaccine-preventable diseases. This number far exceeds the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission to older family members.
A novel mouse model shows that contained and persistent yet non-pathogenic Mtb infection reduces tuberculosis disease burden after re-exposure. The study highlights the importance of innate immune responses in protecting against the disease.
Inflammageing, an age-associated phenomenon of increased general inflammation, may inhibit overall immunity and reduce vaccination efficacy in older people. Strategies to mitigate related effects include senolytic drugs or anti-inflammatory therapies.
The Phase 1 trial of mRNA-1273 vaccine showed neutralizing antibody activity in healthy adults, with high levels observed after two doses. The vaccine was generally well-tolerated, with side effects including fatigue and pain at the injection site.
Researchers analyzed nearly 300 human SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and found IGHV3-53 is the most frequently used gene for targeting the virus spike protein. This gene leads to highly potent antibodies with lower mutation rates, making them promising for vaccine design.
A recent article in Nature Reviews Microbiology calls for more research into bats' molecular biology and ecology to predict and prevent the next pandemic. Bats carry a vast number of viruses, with evidence linking different species to human outbreaks of SARS, MERS, Ebola, and other diseases.
Researchers must consider factors like population immunity, social distancing, and baseline immunity when evaluating vaccine efficacy. Adequate sample sizes are needed to demonstrate vaccine effectiveness, which may be influenced by COVID-19 severity in vaccinated individuals.
A recent study analyzing 10 years of HPV-vaccine related Facebook posts reveals that anti-vaxxers have gained a stronger voice against the use of the human papillomavirus vaccine. Negative posts displayed a 45% increase in public engagement, with some showing negative views on vaccine safety and effectiveness.
A recent article by the Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health emphasizes the importance of understanding herd immunity in the context of COVID-19. The authors argue that traditional definitions of a 'case' are inadequate and propose using daily COVID hospital admissions as a more valid measure of the pandemic's medical impact.
A recent study published by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that people tend to perceive non-round numbers as unique and jarring, leading to a negative evaluation. This effect has implications for public health messaging, economic marketing, and organizational behavior.
Scientists from Japan investigate the mouse norovirus structure and find two alternative capsid structures (type A and type B) that switch depending on aqueous conditions. Type B particles show a delay in propagation and reduced adsorption to host cells, suggesting they may evade the immune system before changing to type A for infection.
A recent study by Monash University suggests that components within vaccines can play a major role in aiding the lifespan of individual plasma cells. This understanding could lead to the development of more effective vaccines.
UW-Madison researchers have created a safer way to deliver mRNA-based therapy for cancer, liver disorders, and vaccination. Tiny mineral particles (MCMs) with pores on their surface can carry molecules like proteins or messenger RNA, mimicking ancient discoveries in archaeology.
A new study published in Neurology found no difference in developmental and behavioral outcomes for children who had febrile seizures after vaccination, compared to those with febrile seizures not associated with vaccination or never having a seizure. This reassuring news supports the safety of vaccines.
A new study found that T cells targeting the SARS-CoV-2 virus can help fight COVID-19, even in severe cases. The research also reveals similar responses to the virus among Dutch and American patients.
A new study estimates Covid-19 herd immunity level can be reduced to 43% by incorporating age and social activity into a mathematical model, potentially informing pandemic policy decisions
A phase I/II clinical trial suggests that vaccines prepared from a patient's own tumor cells may prevent mantle cell lymphoma from returning after treatment. The vaccines are a safe and effective way to induce the immune system to attack any tumor cells that could cause disease relapse.
A recent survey from CUNY SPH found that New Yorkers who understand how vaccines work are more likely to accept a COVID-19 vaccine. The study also revealed significant disparities in vaccine acceptance rates among different age groups, educational levels, and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
Researchers at UConn's CEVR have made a breakthrough in vaccine development for Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common and difficult-to-treat pneumonia-causing pathogen. By identifying the cause of vaccine-enhanced disease (VED), they were able to develop a new vaccine formulation that eliminates safety concerns.
A study by universities of Bonn and Nijmegen found that BCG vaccination enhances immune response to multiple infections, including TB and Covid-19. The vaccine's effect is attributed to trained immunity, which allows innate immune cells to become more efficient independently of reinfection.
A multilevel intervention program improved HPV vaccination series initiation and completion rates among adolescent patients. The program educated pediatric and family medicine providers about the importance of HPV vaccines, along with healthcare system changes that started the HPV vaccine series before age 11.
Researchers discovered that vaccinated participants were less generous to non-vaccinated individuals than to other vaccinated peers, especially among those who viewed vaccination as a moral duty. This suggests that vaccination is perceived as a societal obligation, transcending social group affiliations.
A study from Bar-Ilan University has identified immunodominant epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2 proteome, capable of generating both antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses. The seven identified epitopes are present in over 87% of the worldwide virus-affected population and represent potentially effective vaccine candidates.
Researchers developed a COVID-19 mouse model that replicates the illness in people, allowing for accelerated testing of experimental treatments and vaccines. The model can also study risk factors for severe illness, such as obesity and advanced age.
The EPIC atlas provides a comprehensive immune cell database to study the mechanisms of immunity and develop more effective treatments. It enables researchers to stratify and analyze data sets using artificial intelligence, accelerating vaccine development and identifying new therapeutic targets.
Early human challenge trials of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines may be the correct test of ethics, meeting equitable distribution principles. An international governance system is proposed to oversee access to Covid-19 vaccines and treatments.
Researchers at Westmead Institute for Medical Research identified a unique subset of human cells involved in the immune response against hepatitis B. The discovery could lead to new treatments and improved vaccines for HBV infection.
Scientists have developed a technique to encase protein molecules in a silica shell, preserving vaccine effectiveness even at high temperatures. This technology, known as ensilication, has been proven effective in real-world trials, demonstrating its potential to eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases in low-income countries.
Researchers have identified four SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antigens that neutralized up to 98% of the virus after two vaccinations, with the RBD antigen showing the most promise for high-affinity antibody production
New articles in the Hastings Center report explore the ethics of COVID-19 vaccine distribution, with a focus on social justice and historical disadvantage. The articles discuss the allocation of scarce resources, safety concerns for healthcare workers, and the impact on marginalized communities.
A Washington State University study found that words matter in vaccination messages, with normative and injunctive messages increasing interest and vaccine intention. Negatively worded messages can decrease interest, highlighting the importance of using effective promotional messaging to improve vaccine uptake.
A Texas A&M team is developing a microfluidic device called PRESCIENT to rapidly identify antibodies that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection. The device has been successfully tested with the hepatitis virus and can conduct hundreds of tests per second.
A new web resource has been created to provide scientists with easy access to the latest SARS-CoV-2 protein structures, ensuring the highest accuracy possible for treatments and vaccines. The tool, developed by an international team of experts, also includes assessments of model quality and enhanced versions when available.
A recent study found that delayed vaccinations and increased contact among young children, likely through 'measles parties', fueled the 2019 measles outbreak in NYC. Vaccination campaigns averted a huge spike in cases, but experts warn of potential future outbreaks as vaccination rates plummet.
Researchers have created a high-performance cancer vaccine utilizing self-healing polylactic acid microcapsules, which efficiently activate the immune system and inhibit tumor growth. The vaccine achieves effective T cell response, potent tumor inhibition, and anti-metastatic effects in various tumor models.
New studies in macaques demonstrate protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after initial infection or vaccination, with vaccinated animals exhibiting similar immune responses to humans. The findings offer promising results for the development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and treatments.
Researchers developed a framework using an epidemiological model of COVID-19 to calculate the optimal statistical threshold for approving a drug during a pandemic. This allows regulators to make a trade-off between false positives and false negatives, prioritizing the need for more timely approvals during outbreaks.
Researchers at Flinders University and US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease have developed a highly protective Ebola vaccine that appears to be effective against lethal infections in mice. The vaccine, combined with an Advax™ adjuvant, shows promise for preventing future Ebola outbreaks in Africa.
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified an earlier indicator of vaccine efficacy: specific white blood cells in the blood. The study shows that these cells can predict the quality of the immune response induced by vaccination, allowing for more rapid assessment of vaccine effectiveness.
GlycoNet has secured a three-year investment of $16.3 million through the Canadian Glycomics Network to accelerate carbohydrate-based healthcare treatments, vaccines, and technologies. The network aims to improve the quality of life of Canadians by delivering solutions to important health issues.
A study reviewing 315 articles on Washington Post coverage of autism found a shift from a focus on 'cause and cure' towards acceptance and accommodation, reflecting changing public attitudes and the autistic rights movement.
Researchers found that communities doubting establishment health guidance are more effective than government agencies at engaging undecided individuals on Facebook. Anti-vaccination communities offer diverse narratives that can appeal to a broader audience, while pro-vaccination communities focus on established public health benefits.
Using convalescent plasma from recovered patients can provide instant, short-term fortification against COVID-19. This approach has shown effectiveness in previous pandemics and outbreaks of viral infections such as Ebola and SARS-CoV.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine are developing coronavirus vaccines using their years of experience in tropical diseases. They highlight experimental evidence showing the challenges and critical points for vaccine development, including the need for a robust antibody response and balanced cellular immunity.
Researchers are utilizing HPC to understand the virus at a molecular level, identify potential treatments, and accelerate vaccine development. Epidemiologists are also using supercomputers to model disease spread and predict hotspots, guiding policy makers' decisions in containing the pandemic.
A diverse range of vaccine approaches is needed to address the global need for COVID-19 protection, with harmonized oversight bodies, shared criteria, and data sharing crucial for success. The ACTIV public-private partnership aims to scale up vaccine manufacturing capacity and distribution chains.
The authors propose a strategic approach to research and development that would generate essential data for multiple vaccine candidates in parallel. They emphasize the need for unprecedented cooperation from governments, academic institutions, industry, and philanthropic partners to develop COVID-19 vaccines.
The development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine is critical to preventing repeated epidemics due to the human population's naivety to the virus. A judicious approach involves evaluating candidate vaccines in healthy adults while also using animal models, with parallel process development for efficient production scale-up.
A Korean research team developed a new vaccine platform using RNA-based adjuvants for the MERS coronavirus. The platform was successfully tested on nonhuman primates with 100% protective efficacy. The researchers expect the platform to be applicable to COVID-19 vaccine development, which is urgently needed globally.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the universities of Jyväskylä and Tampere have produced a vaccine that protects against all six known strains of Coxsackie B virus, which may play a role in triggering type 1 diabetes. The vaccine was tested in animal models and showed promise, with plans to conduct human clinical trials.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that protects against the Coxsackie B virus, which may play a role in triggering type 1 diabetes. The vaccine was shown to be highly immunogenic and protective in animal models and non-human primates.
A five-year study has identified the mechanism behind the BCG vaccine's unexpected protection against diseases other than TB in newborns. The researchers found that BCG triggers a rapid increase in neutrophils, white blood cells that fight invading pathogens.
The AAVCOVID vaccine program uses adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector to deliver genetic sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike antigen, inducing an immune response. The vaccine is currently in preclinical development with plans for clinical testing later this year.
A McMaster University study found that half of online vaccination information on chiropractors' websites was removed after media coverage. The removal was associated with a large increase in Canadian media attention on anti-vaccination statements by some chiropractors.